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The Tampa Tribune

Published: March 12, 2009

Lower Expressway Tolls
Ever wonder why more people aren't using the Selmon Expressway?

It really boils down to simple economics. Thousands of people commute each day from the Brandon/Valrico communities to work at MacDill Air Force Base, yet they avoid taking the expressway. Just drive through downtown or along Bayshore Boulevard early on a weekday morning or evening. The streets are clogged with commuters avoiding the expressway because the fares are too high. Round-trip fare is $6 for a total of $30 per work week, the equal of a weekly gas bill. You can drive across the entire Sunshine Skyway Bridge for only a dollar.

It's past time to lower the fares for the Selmon Expressway, and while you're at it, stop charging motorcycles.

JOE YARBOROUGH

Tampa

First-Rate Facility

I have written to the director of the Department of Animal Control Services on Falkenburg Road to communicate how pleased I am with the operation of that department in Hillsborough County.

We are seeing stories every day now about dogs and cats being abandoned for various reasons, many of them economic.

My story is simple. I am a senior citizen and live alone. I had a dog, Sophie, who I raised from a puppy. She was the love of my life and my constant companion. She suddenly passed away over Christmas. I have been heartbroken every since.

My friends and two daughters started urging me to find another dog. So for the last three weeks I have been visiting SPCAs, Humane Societies, dog pounds and shelters such as yours. I made four visits to the Falkenburg location and finally found #A1091520, a male miniature Schnauzer. He no longer has a number. He has a name, Max, and he belongs to me.

I want you to know that I am recommending this facility to everyone I see and know, even strangers I see with a dog. The staff and volunteers were completely understanding about my emotions, needs and concerns. I was treated with respect and found the facility to be extra clean and well taken care of. Please convey my complete satisfaction to the staff and volunteers.

BOB READ

Lakeland

Unfair Doctrine

Regarding "Equal Air Time" (Letters, March 11):

I just couldn't help but laugh after I read it. Perhaps Russell Offenbach has never heard of "Air America," a liberal talk show that failed miserably because of its blatant bias and misinformation and subsequent lack of audience. And perhaps he has never heard of PBS, MSNBC, CNN and most other mainstream media outlets that are left leaning in their nature and content.

The Fairness Doctrine is nothing more than an attempt to force the liberal viewpoint on Americans and a first step towards silencing conservatives. Offenbach claims that liberals are being silenced, but I've never seen a liberal shouted down or have a pie thrown at him/her by a conservative while giving a speech. Hmm, could it be that the liberals like to promote the idea of free speech only when it's what they want to hear?

The bottom line is that citizens have a right to listen to what they want and shouldn't be forced by some draconian law like the Fairness Doctrine to listen to what they don't want to hear. If the liberal viewpoint were popular among mainstream Americans, it wouldn't need something like the Fairness Doctrine to help itself spread across the airwaves.

ERICK WESTLY

Brandon

Stem-Cell Debate

While I am an avid reader of the Tribune, especially your editorial page, I am not often moved to write. However, the recent stem-cell research debate has so alarmed, shocked and saddened me that I must do so.

Your March 11 editorial stated my thoughts and concerns very well, especially as you referred to the "slippery slope toward human exploitation." To further quote from that editorial, "he (President Obama) must understand that ... many ... people think the idea of unfettered research is repulsive, if not immoral or utterly evil."

What I fear, and what appears to be the case, is that now - some 64 years after the end of World War II and the discovery of the excesses of the Third Reich - in this country we are in danger of concluding that somehow Mengele was right!

JUDITH R. HAMILTON

Brooksville

Back On Track

By resuming federal funding for embryonic stem-cell research, the president has just renewed the hopes of 3 million Floridians who live with neurological disabilities and tens of millions more disabled Americans. This research holds potential for people like me with spinal-cord injuries, as well as people with Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer's, diabetes and other neurological disabilities.

Having lost nearly a decade that might have yielded promising cures and treatments, America can once again take a leading role in this promising area of scientific research. Whether tangible results are around the corner or a generation away, President Obama has put us back on track toward a time when neurological disabilities are not a lifelong sentence for suffering.

SHAWN FRIEDKIN

Boca Raton

JOIN DISCUSSION

The Tribune welcomes letters and e-mails from readers. The text should be original and no longer than 150 words. By making a submission, you agree the Tribune may edit the letter for length and clarity, and publish it in any medium. Please include your name, address and daytime phone number. Mail to: P.O. Box 191, Tampa, FL 33601-0191. Or e-mail without attachments: tribletters@tampatrib.com. Also, read and participate in the Tribune editorial board's blog, "Thinking Out Loud," at www.tboblogs.com/index.php/thinkoutloud/categories....

The writer is president of Stand Among Friends.

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